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Oil platform owner sued over Nov. 16 explosion

Black Elk platform fire

Two workers were killed, another is still missing and three more are still hospitalized with severe burns following an explosion and fire Nov. 16, 2012, on this oil platform, located about 35 miles southeast of Grand Isle, owned by Houston-based Black Elk Energy.
(Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

The bodies of Corporal and another worker, Jerome Malagapo, were recovered from the Gulf after the Nov. 16 explosion. A third worker, Avelino Tajonera, was critically burned and died at a hospital a week after the blast.

The suit claims oil vapors ignited when workers cut into a pipe connected to tanks that should have been depressurized and purged before any construction work on the lines.

Lawyers for Corporal's widow also sued Black Elk Energy last month on behalf of Tajonera's widow.